One for the AWACS boys!
 

60 years ago today the 707 took its first flight.....the UK AWACS are the 7 last 707s ever built (don't listen to what the French may tell you!)

July 15, 1954: Boeing 707 Makes First Flight | This Day in Tech | WIRED

First flight in a 707
 

Mine was a 707 chartered from Aer Lingus to Zambian airways and in 1975 took me from London to Lusaka via Rome .
When my contract in Zambia was over I flew in a 707 to Rome but had to transfer ,it was New years day 1978 and when I stepped onboard was astounded!!It was a 747 of british airways ,I remember looking at a sea of faces(flight originated in Australia)and thinking what on earth is this !!!

I'll jump in first with pedant mode before ShotOne.

The 367-80 was more a technology demonstrator and a prototype for the 135 and 707 which were to follow. The only similarity of both the 135 and 707 with the -80 was the configuration. Boeing did not get the OK from the USAF to commence work on the 707 until 13 July 1955, as the USAF required Boeing to concentrate on the 135. The first 135 flew on 31 August 1956, and the first 707 on the 20 December 1957. Some of the designation confusion perhaps comes from the 367-80 carrying the registration N70700 and also "Boeing 707" on the fin. That can be put down to marketing. But a 707 it ain't.

Pedant off.

You didn't mention that the KC-135 series was the Boeing 717....

Apparently the KC-135's are being prepared to go on another 20years!

Only ever flown on a 707 once, YMML-YSSY to connect with a 747 because...747's would never fly to YMML!!!:rolleyes:

All the KCs were, but not all 135s, (numbers built)

717-100A KC-135A (29)
717-146 KC-135A (68)
717-148 KC-135A (635)
717-157 C-135A (15)
717-158 C-135B (30)
717-164 C-135F (12)
717-166 KC-135B (17)
739-700 RC-135A (4)
739-445B RC-135B (10)

Also noteworthy....the UK tried to build an AEW based upon the worlds first jet airliner - failed and so bought one based upon the worlds second oldest airliner.

We also had an ELINT aircraft based on the worlds first jet airliner. That has been replaced by an ELINT aircraft based on..........................


S-D

First jet airliner
 

Was this not the "Valetta "with two RR Nenes fitted!

Ahem....

Avro Canada C102 Jetliner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Now there's a question, is the RC-135 an ELINT aircraft or a SIGINT aircraft......

So the C102 "jetliner" prototype carried the mail once but no passengers...it suffered major serviceability problems and had to return by train. No orders were taken for the aircraft and it was cancelled before the second prototype flew. I stand by my original statement - the 707 was the second jet passenger airliner!

Don't forget the Caravelle Wensley. Prototype flew on the 27 May 1955, 31 months prior to the 707.

I've flown on lots of Boeing 717s. They are however in Delta livery (and AirTran in the past). Same engine family as the Nimrod MRA4.

I love this Chest Beating.....all the while ignoring reality.

The 707 and later the DC-8 were the World Standard Airliners of their Day....and not the Caravelle or the Comet.

One can spin it how you will but it was the 707 that set the Standard by which all Jet Airliners were measured.

"Don't forget the Caravelle Wensley. Prototype flew on the 27 May 1955, 31 months prior to the 707."


Sorry Brian....the first production 707 flew 31 months after the Caravelle, but the first prototype of the 707, the 367, flew in July 1954 which beats the Caravelle by a few months (if we are playing prototypes). The Comet prototype flew in July 49.


Dates come from Wiki - I am not a spotter.

http://img.pandawhale.com/76190-oh-m...res-m-W4nV.png ;)

-RP

You are asking a Yorkshireman to admit he was wrong? Even worse, you are asking a Yorkshireman to admit that he was wrong when he wasn't?


"You can always tell a Yorkshireman, (but you can't tell him much)". ;)

Well said
 

Nice one RP well said

It looks like a 707, it flies like a 707, it smells like a 707....

IT's a 707!!!:ugh:

On the basis of that logic then, the 135 is a 707. Yes? :E

Rhino, you must be the squadron aircraft recognition guy, no?